The chapters work well on their own. Each is a mix of creative thinking and case studies from the creative economies. There are several well-worn stu The chapters work well on their own. Each is a mix of creative thinking and case studies from the creative economies. There are several well-worn studies (Pixar, Jobs, Lucas, Michelangelo) and some new interviews with people who have succeeded in the new online worlds. But the book falls apart when taken as a whole. It contradicts itself and spins off into different conclusions several times. The most obvious is where the author explores Hyde's conclusion for The Gift and talks about how artists need to participate in the gift economy pages after a chapter about always being paid for your worth and finding a patron. The process and ideas are good, the organization and presentation a little muddled. ...more

Basquiat's text, but only a sample. The concept is good, the pages replicate the composition books, but the collection still feels slight. the book feBasquiat's text, but only a sample. The concept is good, the pages replicate the composition books, but the collection still feels slight. the book feels a tease to the legacy of Basquiat....more

The book is mostly an idiosyncratic tour through typography, and that falls in line with Unger's outlook on how we design and use type. Nothing outlanThe book is mostly an idiosyncratic tour through typography, and that falls in line with Unger's outlook on how we design and use type. Nothing outlandish or shocking, just a series of short essays on why designers design type when most of their audience never notices it....more

An interesting assemblage that follows a somewhat circuitous route. It falls in line with the standard special lecture series with high points (discusAn interesting assemblage that follows a somewhat circuitous route. It falls in line with the standard special lecture series with high points (discussion of childhood and South Africa) and low points ( the arguments in the studio make little sense without a video component). There are moments of inspiration and insight....more

An interesting overview with a good mix of material and interviews. The biggest fault in the book is that so much of the art is printed so small. ForAn interesting overview with a good mix of material and interviews. The biggest fault in the book is that so much of the art is printed so small. For an book that focuses on an artist who works with words, you would think they would try to showcase the work over interviews, but on some pages we get a tiny picture....more

This is an essential reminder of what it means to teach. Syllabus is a guide to a class on creative thinking and offers suggestions for ways to help sThis is an essential reminder of what it means to teach. Syllabus is a guide to a class on creative thinking and offers suggestions for ways to help students break out of their mind sets about limitations and try something new. Not sure how effective it is for someone hoping to duplicate the classes at U of Wi Madison, but it gave me some good ideas about how to make students think about things differently....more

So big and beautiful, I could only absorb about 20 pages at a time. While Bantjes fits in the design aesthetic of the early part of the century, thereSo big and beautiful, I could only absorb about 20 pages at a time. While Bantjes fits in the design aesthetic of the early part of the century, there's something more to her work that allows it to transcend commercial design. The comments from the author make this a useful book for students to read and understand how to handle their own process, for everyone else you can just admire the details in some of the designs....more

The story of one of America's first photographers read well. The story was okay, bit the writing really helped make the book what it is. I didn't thinThe story of one of America's first photographers read well. The story was okay, bit the writing really helped make the book what it is. I didn't think the book would move as quickly as it did....more

Missing from several of the art heist books on the book shelves is the sense of community and connections in the world of stolen art. usually the storMissing from several of the art heist books on the book shelves is the sense of community and connections in the world of stolen art. usually the stories are about one case (Isabella Stewart Gradner, for example) or one group (The Italian police trying to stop grave robbers), but Hot Art connects the dots and shows how illegal/ stolen art makes the rounds. An interesting read for anyone interested in the art world....more

A very disjointed book about Black LA in the early 20th century. The book looks at how the influx of southern blacks to Los Angeles help change the cuA very disjointed book about Black LA in the early 20th century. The book looks at how the influx of southern blacks to Los Angeles help change the culture in the years leading up to World War II. The focus is all over the map: from labor strikes and civil rights struggles to jam sessions, blackface comedians, and gay bars. There isn't a clear focus other than to present vignettes of life along Central Avenue in LA. The book really could have used another round of editing as some of the sentences seemed rough and the general flow of the book was inconsistent. I wanted more from the book as most of the topics reflect modern times....more